Geographic Information Systems

Geographic Information Science

The mission of the Geographic Information Science Program is to prepare graduates for a variety of career paths related to the acquisition, analysis, and management of geospatial data and information. These career paths include education towards advanced degrees and employment in the field of Geomatics or the rapidly expanding field of Geographic Information Systems. Graduates will have met the educational requirements to become Registered Professional Land Surveyors in Texas. Program Objectives

All graduates are expected to be able to accomplish the acquisition, analysis, and management of geospatial data and information.

All graduates are capable of continuing paths towards graduate studies and/or employment in the fields of Geomatics and Geographic Information Systems.

All graduates are prepared to become Registered Professional Land Surveyors, but not all graduates will choose this option.

Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the program will have:

An understanding of the basic principles of mathematics, physics, and computer science; the professional skills and modern tools for professional practice in the geospatial sciences as well as for graduate education.

An understanding of the principles in geospatial sciences and understanding of professional practice and ethical issues, including the ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data.

The ability to work in a team and develop problem-solving skills that include oral and written communication skills to effectively communicate geospatial information.

An awareness and utilization of external organizations and institutions that provide useful geospatial data sets and their relationships to traditional and contemporary societal issues.

A recognition of the need for continued learning and development of leadership skills through involvement in volunteer professional organizations and societies.

Program Emphases

During the courses in the degree student can choose one of the following two emphases:

Geomatics is a field of activity that uses a systematic approach to integrate all means of capturing and managing spatial data required for scientific, administrative, legal, and technical operations involved in the production and management of spatial information. These activities include, but are not limited to, cartography, control surveying, digital mapping, geodesy, geographic information systems, hydrography, land information management, land surveying, mining surveying, photogrammetry, and remote sensing.

Geographic Information Systems is a professional discipline that focuses on the computer-based solutions to problems involving the collection, synthesis, analysis, and communication of spatially related information within a geographic jurisdiction or area. Local, State, and Federal government agencies and private industries have been rapidly converting paper-based systems used to manage spatially referenced data and information to highly automated graphics systems that integrate digital mapping with computerized databases.

Each student will complete a Capstone Project related to the student’s selected emphasis. The Capstone Project will be evaluated under the Geospatial Systems Project GISC 4350 course.